BLM Plans Slash Pile Burns in Rio Blanco, Moffat Counties
Event Description
MEEKER, Colo. – The Bureau of Land Management plans to burn slash piles within the White River Field Office in Rio Blanco and Moffat Counties now until March 31, 2026.
“Weather and fuel moisture conditions will be closely monitored, and the burn will only begin if conditions meet prescribed parameters,” said Shane Pfeiffer, Northwest District Fire Management Unit fuels specialist. “Smoke may be visible in and around the pile burn locations; please do not call 911 if you see smoke.”
The planned pile burns will reduce pinyon-juniper slash from a thinning project designed to lower wildfire risk near homes, improve rangeland, and protect electrical and oil and gas infrastructure. Road closures are not expected.
Rio Blanco County Details
The Willow Creek pile burn project includes 567 acres in the Piceance Basin south of Rio Blanco County Road 5 along BLM Road 1011, about 25 miles southwest of Meeker. Smoke may be visible from Colorado Highway 13, Colorado Highway 64, and county roads in the Piceance Basin during operations.
Moffat County Details
The Blue Mountain pile burn project includes 221 acres in the Skull Creek Rim north of Colorado Highway 40 along Moffat County Road 16, about 20 miles northeast of Rangely. Smoke may be visible from Colorado Highway 40, Colorado Highway 64, and nearby county roads during operations.
Regulatory Compliance
BLM conducts all prescribed burns in accordance with the Interagency Prescribed Fire Planning and Implementation Procedures Guide, the State of Colorado Smoke Management Plan, and a Memorandum of Understanding with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. The CDPHE’s Air Pollution Control Division will issue an open burn permit outlining smoke dispersal requirements and other conditions.
Prescribed fire smoke may affect your health. Prescribed fire smoke may affect your health. For more information, visit the “Wood smoke and your health” webpage on the Colorado Air Pollution Control Division website.
Maps and Additional Information
Maps of the Willow Creek and Blue Mountain pile burn locations are below. For more information, visit the BLM Colorado Fire Information webpage or contact Pfeiffer at 970-620-6957 or [email protected].
The BLM manages about 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.